99 photos from Libya 2009

A stop en route on our trip to Ghadames – we had to get an official letter from the Principal asking people the help and not hinder our passage and offer assistance if requiredGhadames mosqueChristina and Lucy in GhadamesGhadames – the original inhabitants were moved out by the government when they restored the ancient town and were housed in nasty new buildings, just like happened at Petra!Ghadames was famed for its covered streetsGhadames the doors 1Ghadames the doors 2Ghadames from withoutOutside GhadamesGhadames – a garden outside the wallsTraditional lunch in a typical (restored) Ghadames houseGhadames the doors 3Ghadames mosqueGhadames café – it was a remote town which made a living from tolls and services to caravans travelling the Northern Sahara between Tunis and TripoliLucy and Christina in one of the typical Ghadames alleywaysGhadames outside the mosqueGhadames gardenGhadames lunchTash and Mollie in GhadamesMollieOutside the old British consulate in GhadamesThe British consulte in Ghadames today – it was formerly a pretty remote posting involving weeks of travel to the nearest city and was not enjoyed overly much by the consulsHow the women lived – never allowed down but got around town on the rooftops and walls, lowering baskets down to the market for shoppingNot much to see here at the former British consulateThe street where the British consulate wasThe AllensUnrestored GhadamesMore beach – and a nice oneBeachInternational dayTash on the beachTypical beachMe and Mollie on the beachNalutWhat Mollie thought of it allMollie enjoying sightseeingOasis shadeMollieMollie at SabrathaOne of the first paddles in the seaNalutNalutNalutOlive pressNalut Qasr – 13th century fortified granaryNalut Qasr – one of those undiscovered gems of Libya we discoveredNalut QasrNalut QasrHe who could not be namedHimDave – halloween MCThe Pied Piper of Tripoli – aka Dave AllenRemembrance day service TripoliOur street and why a pushchair was a difficult vehicle to manoeuverMilitary cemetery Tripoli – another of those beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves CommissionA Desert RatRemembering those who did not returnRemembrance DayA touching messageAfter the service the Ambassador invited all those present at the service in the cemetery back to his Residency for drinks and canapés……after two months in the dry country, er… that will be a YES PLEASE!

Olive pressNalut QasrNalut QasrNalut QasrNalut QasrNalut QasrNalut QasrOn the toilet in Sabratha – nice view from the throne roomSabrathaAmphitheatre Sabratha – good to find some shadeSabratha amphitheatreSabratha-Super-MareSabratha – so empty and atmosphericFish detail SabrathaSabratha GoddessSabratha Goddess and daughterSabratha mosaicSabratha pornography – cheeky!Sabratha detailUnder the stage at SabrathaSabratha detail on the front of the stageSabratha sunOn the toilet again at SabrathaThe EmpressSabratha columnsThe Allens – lunch stop en routeA touching noteBack garden of our houseTripoli back street boysTripoli harbour and old townTashes ‘brothel’ (bought in Jordan) in our gardenLibyan flag coloured cotOn the way to the shops, where in Tripoli the man in the veg shop always pulled the thorns off a rose and gave it to Mollie. who then always pulled all the petals off on the way homeYefren – the townFrom Yefren hotelYefrenSandstorm